A Welcome Bay man produced a pistol during a local drug and alcohol counselling session telling his counsellor it was real and he needed it for his own protection.
Karlin Arapeta Gibson, 22, pleaded guilty to unlawfully carrying an imitation firearm when he appeared in Tauranga District Court today.
This is an offence which attracts a maximum sentence of two years prison.
The court was told that on September 1 this year Gibson had travelled from his home to a drug and alcohol counselling session in Fraser St.
During the session Gibson pulled a black pistol out of his pocket and placed it on his lap, and told counsellor it was real and he had it with him for his protection.